
The Turning Point
Constantine IX Monomachos was a profligate spender who fatally weakened the Byzantine Empire.
Constantine IX Monomachos was a profligate spender who fatally weakened the Byzantine Empire.
The Byzantines had lost their hold on Sicily by 1040, but their influence over its art and culture lasted centuries longer.
Byzantine women in the 11th and 12th centuries received an education and had opportunities for influence and power.
The Byzantine reputation for being sneaky, conniving and nefarious likely began with the Crusades.
Once upon a time, in the distant city of Constantinople that was the golden capital of the Roman Empire in the 11th century, lived Princess Zoe. Unfortunately, Zoe’s story diverges from the usual fairy tales with their happy endings. Our Zoe was not a young princess when the story opens.
The day of May 29th coincided in 2017 with several anniversaries of note. It was the 100th anniversary of U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s birth. Also, in the U.S. the Memorial Day holiday when we remember our war dead fell that year on May 29th. The Last Emperor Constantine XI
Just how bad a ruler was Justinian II? A monster, or normal for his times?
Birth and Early Expectations Anna Comnena was the first child of the Eastern Roman emperor, Alexios I Comnenus, born Dec. 1st, 1083 and named after Alexios’s mother, the determined Anna Dalassena. Her father soon betrothed her to Constantine Ducas, the son of a prior emperor, Michael VII Ducas. Young Constantine’s
Isaac Comnenus seized the Eastern Roman Empire’s throne in 1057 but only ruled for just over two years. Even so, he differed in several areas from the empire’s other rulers.
Historical fiction is a great way to encourage readers to learn more history.
1. You will not receive more than one email from me each month.
2. It may be contentious, but I may discuss Byzantine politics from time to time. Amateurish modern politics will never be discussed.
copyright 2018 Eileen Stephenson | designed by Avalon Graphics.